Process of combustion of solid, liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon (hc) raw materials in a heat engine, heat engine and system for producing energy from hydrocarbon (hc) materials

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a process of combustion of solid, liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon (HC) raw materials in a heat engine comprising at least one combustion chamber, said process comprising at least one iteration of the following steps, which constitute/form a combustion cycle, wherein a load of hydrocarbon (HC) materials and an oxidizing gas are added to said combustion chamber, combustion of said load of hydrocarbon materials being triggered by said oxidizing gas; characterized in that said oxidizing gas comprises: trioxygen (O 3 ) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and/or carbon trioxide (CO 3 ). The invention likewise relates to a heat engine for carrying out and conducting the process according to the invention, and to a system for producing energy from hydrocarbon materials by implementing and operating such engine.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a 35 USC §371 national stage application ofPCT/BR2014/000435, which was filed Dec. 10, 2014 and claimed priority toFrench Patent Application No. 1362395, filed Dec. 11, 2013, both ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention refers to a combustion process for hydrocarbon materialsin a thermal engine. The invention also refers to a thermal engineimplementing and operating said process and system for producing energyfrom hydrocarbon materials comprising such engine.

The field of invention is the field of treatment of solid, liquid and/orgaseous hydrocarbon materials, particularly diesel. The inventionspecifically relates to diesel combustion and generally to hydrocarbonmaterials in a thermal engine.

BACKGROUND

The large majority of the systems of the state of the art performscombustion of said hydrocarbon materials with atmospheric air asoxidizing agent. We know that atmospheric air is constituted by 21%oxygen and 78% nitrogen, the balance being rare gases, and only oxygen(O₂) is the reactive element of combustion. Nitrogen is a neutral gas,which serves as ballast gas fluid, a thermal fluid and/or work volumeexpansion in current systems. Said systems are dedicated to theproduction of thermal energy (boiler shells, etc.) or to a conversioninto mechanical energy (thermal engines, turbines, etc.).

To perform a complete combustion with atmospheric air, the oxidizingagent should be supplied in excess relative to the quantity of reactiveoxygen. This equation results in the generation of disproportionatecombustion gas volumes over the gases effectively produced by completecombustion. Further, considerable combustion gas volumes generate largeinconveniences, considerable atmospheric pollution and effects (heat,organic pollutants, CO₂, various oxides, aerosols, etc.) whichneutralization is extremely difficult.

On the other hand, said large volumes of combustion gases becomeextremely costly means to be implemented to neutralize the generatedpollution, especially the capture of CO₂, which is one of the maincauses of global warming.

These excessive oxidizing agents also reduce the transfer efficiency ofenergy of fuel energy to the system, and they usually do not performcomplete combustion.

On the other hand, incomplete combustion of hydrocarbon materials in thecurrent systems causes dirt deposition of non-burnt material, thusreducing yield of the current systems over time.

The sum of these inconveniences reduces the thermodynamic yield ofcurrent thermal engines, rarely surpassing 50% of the heating power ofthe fuel used, thus meaning waste of more than half of the availableenergy. Furthermore, a large part of the thermal energy is dissipated bythe cooling systems of the engines and exhaust gases. Usually, the“global” yield of thermal engines is lower than 45% of the Lower HeatingPower (PCI) of the fuel used.

Other processes promote a combustion of hydrocarbon materials with pureor eventually mixed dioxygen with a neutral gas such as CO₂, e.g., likethe process as disclosed by the document EP 2,383,450 A1. Theseproceedings enable to increase yield, reduce the quantity of pollutantparticles and facilitate the capture of CO₂ from the combustion gasgenerated by the combustion.

However, it is still possible to increase combustion yield and improvecombustion conditions to achieve a more respectful way of combustion,particularly the thermal engine wherein the combustion is performed.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a combustion processof hydrocarbon materials in a thermal engine, so to allow for a betteryield.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combustionprocess of hydrocarbon materials in a thermal engine, which is morerespectful than the thermal engine of the current processes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages and characteristics will emerge after examining thedetailed description of non-limitative embodiments and the attacheddrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a thermalengine according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a thermalengine according to the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a system to produce energy fromhydrocarbon materials according to the invention, by embodying andoperating the engine of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention enables to reach at least one of the objects as alreadyexplained, by means of a combustion process of solid, liquid or gaseoushydrocarbon materials in a thermal engine comprising at least onecombustion chamber, said process comprising at least one interaction ofthe following steps constituting a combustion cycle:

introduction in said combustion chamber of a load of hydrocarbonmaterials and a oxidizing gaseous mixture; and

triggering of combustion of said load of hydrocarbon materials with saidoxidizing gaseous mixture;

wherein said oxidizing agent comprises:

trioxygen (O₃); and

carbon dioxide (CO₂) and/or carbon trioxide (CO₃).

As “hydrocarbon materials,” we understand petroleum, petroleumderivatives, natural and synthetic petroleum gases, coals and/orbiomass, as well as all residues containing carbon and/or hydrocarbon,and synthesis gases from decomposition and gasification of saidhydrocarbon materials.

As oxygen, we understand the oxygen atom (O) which, in currentformulations, composes the dioxygen molecule (O₂) and the trioxygenmolecule (O₃), usually called “ozone.”

As “thermal engine,” we understand every device performing thecombustion of hydrocarbon materials and producing mechanical or electricenergy.

The process of the invention provides a combustion of hydrocarbonmaterials with an oxidizing gaseous mixture comprising trioxygen (O₃)and more particularly negative trioxygen (O₃ ⁻).

The use of trioxygen in the oxidizing gas allows for a better use ofeach oxygen (O) element and consequently a more complete combustion ofhydrocarbon material.

In fact, as will be disclosed below, the use of trioxygen increases theflammability of hydrocarbon materials by destabilizing the cohesion oftheir molecules and by speeding up the oxidization of the atoms in theircompositions.

Furthermore, due to the increase in the flammability of the hydrocarbonmaterial by using trioxygen, the combustion of hydrocarbon material isfacilitated in terms of temperature and/or pressure, preserving thethermal engine or means operating combustion.

According to a first embodiment of the process of the invention, theoxidizing gas can solely comprise trioxygen (O₃) and carbon dioxide(CO₂) and/or carbon trioxide (CO₃).

According to a second embodiment of the process of the invention, theoxidizing gas can also comprise dioxygen (O₂).

Whichever is the embodiment of the process of the invention, trioxygenis dosed for each atom of fuel organic material (C and H) to have thenumber of oxygen (O) atoms as required for a stoichiometric combustion.Trioxygen present in the oxidizing gas (alone or mixed with dioxygenO₂), thermo-chemically interacts with fuel organic materials of multipleform.

Trioxygen reacts firstly with CO₂ in the oxidizing gaseous mixtureaccording to the reaction:

CO₂+O₃

CO₃+O₂  (1).

Subsequently, trioxygen reacts with the organic materials, which actwith catalysts according to the reaction:

O₃+catalyst→catalyst+O catalyst+O₂  (2).

Said interactive bonds are unstable and kept in the order ofmilliseconds during combustion.

If the oxidizing gas comprises carbon trioxide (CO₃), generated by thereaction (1), the latter instantaneously loses (during the combustion)its third O atom in the form of negative ion (O⁻), which is alsoimmediately captured by a hydrocarbon fuel molecule. The same happenswith trioxygen (O₃), from which the surplus oxygen atom is extracted andimmediately fixed by an organic catalyst (C or H) of the hydrocarbonmolecule, thus creating a free pathway for its parent molecule of O₂.

Said instantaneous and simultaneous interactions increase theflammability of catalyst fuels by destabilizing the cohesion of theirmolecules and speeding up the oxidization of atoms of their composition.

The integrity of oxygen available is the heart and the reaction agents.The combustion is complete, with maximum yield with the rightmeasurement of oxygen.

With the process according to the invention, the lower flammabilitylimit is optimized by factor 5 (five) and the speed of deflagration isdoubled relative to atmospheric combustion. Oxidizing conditions makeflammability conditions become instantaneous, as well as the thermalgeneration, thermal transmission and the expansion of the gas volume.

Providing for a complete combustion of hydrocarbon materials, thermalyield as obtained from the process according to the invention is betterthan that of the processes and/or engines of the state of the art.Furthermore, the thermal engine is not subject to the dirt deposition ofnon-burnt material, thus considerably increasing the working life of thesystem in comparison with the processes of the state of the art.

The combustion gas, as a result of the combustion, is composed only byCO₂ and H₂O, with eventual residual O₂ molecules. The CO₂ is thecomplete combustion carbon molecule, stable at high temperatures, above800° C. H₂O is the molecule resulting from the complete combustion ofhydrogen from the molecular composition of the hydrocarbon material,said H₂O is easily recoverable by condensation, even at atmosphericpressure and temperature. Said two molecules are recyclable and allowrecovering most of the dissipated energy of the combustion and reducethe ecological impact on the environment, thus eliminating gaseouspollutants, notably nitrogen oxides, which cannot exist in the absenceof nitrogen.

On the other hand, the oxidizing gas has constant characteristics forany geographic or atmospheric variations (air humidity and altitude).Therefore, quantities can be precise and constant under anycircumstances, so to provide for linear and permanently regulatedcombustion.

According to the invention, the load of hydrocarbon materials asrequired for the combustion can be mixed with at least one component ofthe oxidizing gas before being introduced into the combustion chamber,e.g., with CO₂ and/or CO₃, or even with pure O₃ or eventually with O₂.

The oxidizing gas can be injected in the combustion chamber before,after or simultaneously with the introduction of the load of hydrocarbonmaterial into the combustion chamber.

CO₂ and/or CO₃ and pure O₃ or eventually mixed with O₂ can be separatelyinjected in the combustion chamber, or all of them can be mixed togetherbefore the injection in the combustion chamber.

In the process according to the invention, the combustion can beperformed with:

applying a pressure in the combustion chamber; and/or

supplying electrical energy to said combustion chamber;

e.g., with a spark plug as known by the expert in the art.

The process according to the invention can also comprise the injectionof a quantity of liquid water in the combustion chamber before, after orsimultaneously with the oxidizing gas. Therefore, up to 20% of waterrelative to the oxidizing gas and preferably between 5% and 20% of waterrelative to the oxidizing gas can be introduced into the combustionchamber as a function of the thermal regulation as scheduled or desiredand the water expansion capacity into steam, which will replace itsequivalent into CO₂ and/or CO₃.

The injection of water allows regulating the combustion temperature,since it absorbs a large quantity of energy from combustion into latentheat, thus reducing thermal losses caused by the dissipation in thecooling and combustion exhaust gas circuits. The injected liquid waterrepresents a negligible volume ratio with the oxidizing gaseous mixtureof less than 20% as a function of the size of the thermal system atissue. Once amidst the combustion medium, said water evaporates intooverheated steam. The expansion of the volume of liquid water asconverted into steam is more than 10 times to hundreds of times thevalue introduced as a function of the dynamic pressure as impinged.

Therefore, latent heat of evaporation is completely and immediatelytransformed into useful thermodynamic energy, instead of having aconsiderable part of it dissipated by the cooling and combustion gasexhaust circuits. The portion of injected water is limited by loweringthe temperature caused by its evaporation and which should not be lowerthan the optimal operating temperature of the thermal system at issue.The volume of the portion of evaporated water replaces the equivalentvolume of CO₂/CO₃.

The oxidizing gas can comprise between 15 and 25% of oxygen, in the formof pure O₃ or in the form of a mixture of O₃ and O₂, and between 85 and75% of CO₂ and/or CO₃.

More particularly, the oxidizing gas can comprise between 18 and 22%,preferably 21% of oxygen in the form of pure O₃ or in the form of amixture of O₃ and O₂, and between 82 and 78%, preferably 79%, of CO₂and/or CO₃.

The oxidizing gas advantageously comprises, for a mole of carbon ofhydrocarbon material, at least one mole of CO₂ and/or CO₃, and a maximumof 17 moles of CO₂ and/or CO₃.

The oxidizing gaseous mixture advantageously comprises, for one carbonatom of the hydrocarbon material, at least the equivalent to two oxygenatoms and a maximum of the equivalent to 102% of oxygen, in the form ofpure O₃ or in the form of a mixture of O₃ and O₂.

The oxidizing gas can advantageously comprise for a hydrogen (H) atom inthe hydrocarbon material, at least one oxygen atom in the form of pureO₃ or in the form of a mixture of O₃ and O₂, and a maximum of theequivalent to 102% of oxygen in the form of pure O₃ or in the form of agas mixture of O₃ and O₂.

When the oxidizing gas comprises pure trioxygen, the latter may beobtained from a pure O₃ reservoir/tank. When the oxidizing gas comprisestrioxygen mixed with dioxygen, the mixture can be obtained either from areservoir/tank containing a mixture of O₃ and O₂, or from a reservoircontaining pure O₃ and a reservoir containing pure O₂.

Alternatively, the process according to the invention can also comprisea step of generation of trioxide from oxygen molecules, moreparticularly from dioxygen molecules (O₂), e.g., by the “CORONA” effectapplied to the oxygen molecules, more particularly to dioxygenmolecules.

For that purpose, the process according to the invention can implement aproduction mean of trioxygen (O₃).

Trioxide generating means can comprise a “CORONA” effect device,installed, e.g., on a conduit in which oxygen (O₂) flows, such as theinjection tube of dioxygen O₂ into the combustion chamber, to induceelectric conversion discharges according to the formula:

O₂ +hv→O₂*(³Σ_(u) ⁻);

(170 to 210 nm);

O₂*+O₂→O₃+O, O+O₂→O₃.

The ratio of oxygen to be converted is defined by the intensity of theinduced Corona effect, and the portion of O₃ can vary between 10 and100% of the oxidizing oxygen as included in the gaseous oxidizingmixture.

Furthermore, the process according to the invention can comprise a stepof generation of carbon trioxide CO₃ from CO or CO₂ molecules, andpreferably from CO₂ molecules, e.g., by means of the “CORONA” effectapplied to the CO₂ molecules in the presence of O₃/O₂.

According to a preferred embodiment, the oxidizing gas is obtained froma gaseous mixture of O₂ and CO₂, to which Corona effect is applied togenerate O₃ and CO₃ molecules, the oxidizing gas therefore, obtainedcomprises:

O₃; and

CO₂ or CO₃ or a mixture of CO₂ and CO₃; and

eventually O₂, as a function of the energy of the electric dischargesapplied for the Corona effect.

As disclosed above, the combustion gas obtained after the combustionessentially comprises CO₂ and H₂O_(steam).

The process according to the invention can also comprise a recovery ofCO₂ included in the combustion gas, by cooling said combustion gas.

When the combustion gas comprises H₂O molecules, steam can be previouslyremoved from the combustion gas by condensation, and then, CO₂ and thelatent heat from condensation can be recovered.

Advantageously, CO₂ can be condensed by any/all process known by theexpert in the art. Therefore, all non-condensable material originatedfrom the fuel and/or from the oxidizing gaseous mixture (metals,metalloids, sulfur, oxygen) are isolated from CO₂, which is pure inliquid stage, and can be stored and recycled in the process. CO₂ can beevaporated during the cooling process of the combustion gas before beingre-injected into the combustion chamber for a new cycle.

Thermal energy (thermal capacity/sensitive and latent heat) of thecombustion gas can also be recovered, by means of heat exchange with athermal fluid with one or more heat exchangers, e.g., aiming to produceelectricity with a turbine.

A part of CO₂ recovered from the combustion gas of a combustion cyclecan be advantageously re-used in the oxidizing gas and/or to generatecarbon trioxide as disclosed above, to perform a new combustion cycle.

A part of CO₂ recovered from the combustion gas can be re-used in amicroalgae culture, e.g., in a microalgae reactor, wherein themicroalgae culture provides O₂ by means of photosynthesis.

At least a part of O₂ provided by microalgae can be used in theoxidizing gas and/or to generate trioxygen as disclosed above, for a newcombustion cycle.

According to another aspect of the invention, it is provided a thermalengine performing a combustion of hydrocarbon materials, andparticularly organized means to operate all the steps of the combustionprocess according to the invention. The thermal engine according to theinvention can comprise trioxygen generating means from oxygen atoms,more particularly from a gaseous flow of O₂.

Said carbon trioxide generating means can comprise means applying Coronaeffect with oxygen atoms, more particularly with a gaseous flow of O₂,e.g., a Corona effect tube disposed on a duct in which O₂ flows.

The thermal engine according to the invention can also comprise means togenerate carbon trioxide from CO molecules or preferably from CO₂molecules.

Said carbon trioxide generating means can comprise means to apply Coronaeffect on CO molecules or preferably on CO₂ molecules, e.g., a Coronaeffect tube disposed on the duct in which CO₂ flows in the presence ofO₃/O₂.

The thermal engine according to the invention can further comprise atleast one adjustment module for the:

quantity of CO₂ and/or CO₃; and/or

quantity of oxygen in the form of pure O₃ or a mixture of O₃ and O₂;

used in the oxidizing gas.

The thermal engine can also comprise at least one adjustment module ofthe quantity of liquid water introduced into the combustion chamber andeventually an adjustment module of the quantity of hydrocarbon materialsfor each combustion cycle.

According to another aspect of the invention, it is provided a vehiclewith a thermal engine according to the invention to move the vehicle.Said vehicle can be, e.g., a boat or a train.

According to another aspect of the invention, it is provided a systemfor producing mechanical or electrical energy from hydrocarbonmaterials, comprising:

a thermal engine according to the invention, supplying a combustion gascomprising CO₂; and

at least one microalgae reactor producing O₂ by photosynthesis;

at least one means for feeding said reactor with at least a part of CO₂present in said combustion gas; and

at least one means for recovering at least a part of said O₂ produced bysaid microalgae reactor and reusing said recovered O₂ to generatetrioxygen.

It is understood that the embodiments described below will not belimitative. We can notably imagine variations of the inventioncomprising only a selection of the characteristics described below,isolated from the other characteristics as described, if this selectionof characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or toshow the difference between the present invention over the state ofprevious art. This selection comprises at least one preferablefunctional characteristic with no structural details, or only with apart of the structural details if this part is sufficient only to confera technical advantage or to distinguish the invention unique enough overthe state of the prior art.

In the drawings, the elements common to several figures keep the samereference.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a first example of an engineaccording to the invention.

The engine 100 as represented by FIG. 1 comprises, in a similar way tothermal engines currently known, a plurality of cylinders 102 ₁, 102 ₂,. . . , 02 _(n). Each cylinder 102 comprises a piston, respectivelyreferenced 104 ₁, 104 ₂, . . . , 104 _(n), mobile in translation anddefining in each cylinder a combustion chamber 106 ₁, 106 ₂, . . . , 106_(n). Each piston 104 is pushed in translation by the combustion in thecombustion chamber, of a fuel product, allowing the rotation of atransmission shaft 108, as known in current thermal engines.

The engine 100 comprises, for each cylinder 102 and for each combustioncycle:

a first module 110 i, adjusting the quantity of hydrocarbon materials HCintroduced into the combustion chamber 106, from a reservoir 112 ofhydrocarbon materials;

a second module 1141, dosing the quantity of oxygen introduced into thecombustion chamber 106, in the form of pure O₃ or a mixture of O₃ andO₂;

a third module 116, dosing the quantity of pure CO₂, pure CO₃ or alsoCO₂ mixed with CO₃, introduced in the combustion chamber 106;

a forth module 118, dosing the quantity of liquid H₂O as introduced intothe combustion chamber 106 from a H₂O reservoir 120.

The engine 100 also comprises a corona effect tube 122, located at theoutlet of a reservoir of O₂ 124, allowing generating a gas flowconstituted by pure O₃ or by a mixture of O₃ and O₂, from O₂ provided bythe reservoir 124. The gas flow obtained downstream from the coronaeffect tube 124 (and constituted by pure O₃ or a mixture of O₃ and O₂)feeds the module 114 _(i) to regulate the quantity of oxygen, and thenits injection into the combustion chamber 106 _(i).

The engine 100 also comprises a corona effect tube 126, located at theoutlet of a reservoir of CO₂ 128, allowing generating a gas flowcomposed by pure CO₃ or a mixture of CO₃ and CO₂, from a part of CO₂provided by the reservoir 128 and from the O₂ provided by the reservoir124. The gas flow obtained downstream from the corona effect tube 126feeds the module 1161 to regulate the quantity of CO₃ and CO₂, followedby its injection into the combustion chamber 1061.

Combustion of the mixture formed by the load of materials(hydrocarbons+oxidizing gas) is activated by the combustion chamber 106or by pressure applied by the piston or by a spark plug (not shown),producing an electric spark in the combustion chamber.

The combustion gas obtained from the complete combustion of the load ofhydrocarbon materials with oxygen entering the combustion chamber 106 isevacuated by an evacuation tube/conduit 130. The combustion gas GC ismainly constituted by CO₂. On one hand, the CO₂ admitted into thecombustion chamber 106 through the module 116 and, on the other hand,CO₂ formed by the oxidization of carbon elements C present inhydrocarbon compounds by the O₃ compounds (and possibly O₂), and H₂O, onone side H₂O eventually admitted in the combustion chamber 106 by themodule 118 and, on the other side, H₂O formed by the oxidization of thedi-hydrogen elements H₂ present in the hydrocarbon compounds.

It is possible that the combustion gas GC includes residual compounds ofO₂, e.g., in a ratio of 1 or 2% of combustion gas, excessively admittedin the combustion chamber 106 to assure complete combustion of the loadof hydrocarbon materials HC in the combustion chamber 106.

FIG. 2 is the schematic representation of a second embodiment of anengine according to the invention.

The engine 200 as represented by FIG. 2 resumes all the elements andconfiguration of engine 100 of FIG. 1.

Besides the engine 100 of FIG. 1, the engine 200 comprises a treatmentmodule 202 of the combustion gas GC installed in the extraction conduit130 for combustion gases.

The treatment module comprises a thermal exchanger (not shown)performing a thermal exchange between the combustion gas GC to take thecombustion gas GC to a temperature lower than 100° C. so to condensateH₂O steam contained in the combustion gas GC. Therefore, the steam foundin the combustion gas GC is isolated and feeds the water reservoir 120to be re-used in the next combustion cycle.

When the combustion gas GC includes residual O₂, the latter one, whichis not condensable at the condensation temperature of CO₂, is isolatedby means of CO₂ condensation and feeds the reservoir of O₂ 124 to bere-used in the next combustion cycle.

Finally, after separating steam from O₂, the combustion gas GC onlycontains CO₂ feeding the reservoir 128 of CO₂ to be re-used in the nextcombustion cycle.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a system for producing energyfrom hydrocarbon materials according to the invention, by operating theengine of FIG. 2.

The system 300 for producing energy of FIG. 3 comprises the thermalengine 200 of FIG. 2.

Besides the thermal engine of FIG. 2, the system 300 comprises amicroalgae reactor 302, receiving, through a conduit 304, a part of CO₂extracted from the combustion gas GC by means of the module 202. Saidmicroalgae reactor 302 produces O₂ by photosynthesis. A conduit 306captures O₂ produced by the microalgae reactor 302 for feeding thereservoir of O₂ 124 for use in a next combustion cycle.

In all the examples disclosed, the invention allows to producemechanical energy by rotating the shaft 108.

Said mechanical energy can, for instance, be used to move a vehicle onthe ground, in the air or water, such as a boat. In this case, thethermal engine can be, as a non-limitative example, a diesel engine fedby a petroleum derivative such as heavy fuel oil.

Mechanical energy can also be used to generate electric energy, e.g.,with an electric generator moved by an engine and/or gas turbine and/orliquid hydrocarbons and in combination with a steam turbine alternator.

In all the examples disclosed, modules 110, 114, 116 and 118 can beconfigured to introduce in the combustion chamber 106, respectively, apre-determined quantity of hydrocarbon materials HC, oxygen in the formof pure O₃ or mixed with O₂, CO₂/CO₃ and liquid water, said quantitiesbeing determined in accordance to, on one hand the quantity of carbon Cand hydrogen H molecules present in the load of hydrocarbon materialsadmitted into the combustion chamber, so that the load of hydrocarbonmaterials suffers a complete combustion, i. e. a complete oxidization,and on the other hand, the size of the cylinder 102 and piston 104 andthe desired power at the engine output.

Each one of the modules 110, 114-118 can be an electronic modulecontrolled by computer.

In all the examples disclosed, each combustion element is separatelyadmitted into the combustion chamber 106. Consequently, it is alsopossible to mix at least two elements of combustion before admissioninto the combustion chamber 106 and submit them to thermal and/ormechanical treatment, e.g., compression.

In all disclosed cases, each combustion element can suffer thermaltreatment or compression before being admitted into the combustionchamber.

In the examples described, the corona effect tube 126 is optional andthe oxidizing gas may not contain CO₃.

Alternatively, one single corona effect tube can be used instead oftubes 122 and 126. In this case, the O₂ provided by the reservoir 124 ismixed with the CO₂ provided by the reservoir 128, after the gaseousmixture O₂+CO₂ is transported by one single corona effect tube.

We now describe a combustion of hydrocarbon materials according to theinvention, when the hydrocarbon material is solely constituted ofhexadecane with the formula C₁₆H₃₄, in comparison with a combustionunder atmospheric air.

The table below shows the characteristics of hexadecane C₁₆H₃₄:

Characteristics of hexadecane molecule (Cethane) C₁₆H₃₄ (ratio per kg)molar mass = 226.44 g/mol = 4.42 moles/kg PCS oxygen (O₂) useful forcomplete combustion (stoichiometric) C₁₆ C = 70.66 moles/kg CO₂: 394kJ/mol oxygen O₂ = 70.66 moles/kg = 27 839.36 kJ/kg H₃₄ H₂ = 75.075moles/kg H₂O: 242 kJ/mol oxygen O₂ = 37.54 moles/kg = 18 168.01 kJ/kgTotal = 46 007.37 kJ/kg Total = 108.20 moles/kg = 12.78 kWh/kg Oxygen(O₂) p/kg C₁₆H₃₄ molar mass: = 32.00 g/mol Total = 3.46 kg/kg = 2.425Nm3/kg

Wherein it describes that:

1 kg of hexadecane has a higher heating value (PCS) of 12.78 kWh and alower heating power (PCI) of 11.48 kWh≈˜9%;

The complete oxidization of 1 mole of carbon in 1 mole of CO₂ generatesan exothermic reaction of 394 kilojoules, while the incompleteoxidization of 1 mole of carbon into 1 mole of CO only generates anexothermic reaction of 111 kilojoules, i.e., 3.55 times less;

Each particle is carbon and each gram of carbon can generate 32.83kilojoules of thermal energy with 1 mole of carbon=12 g.

The “thermodynamic” yield of an explosion engine, with controlledignition or compression Otto or Diesel is relative to the combustionyield and the transfer from thermal energy to mechanical energy.

The present invention optimizes combustion yield and, consequently toreduce fuel consumption, for identical energetic product.

Combustion at “atmospheric” air depends on atmospheric (humidity) andgeographic factors (altitude, oxygen-poor air). In Diesel engines, atconstant volumes, the quantity of oxidizing air is constant and must beoversized to offer the best combustion. The quantity of interactiveoxygen in air is not higher than 65% of 21% of oxygen existent in theair, at sea level. To reach the oxygen of the stoichiometric combustion,we need to double the volume of oxidizing air. The volume of combustionair interacts with the combustion providing active oxygen, but, on theother hand, increasing the volume of neutral gas (nitrogen), which actsin the opposite direction reducing the combustion zones since it takesspace.

One of the advantages of the process, according to the invention is thatthe trioxygen molecule can be produced on the site of its use withseveral possibilities of quantitative and qualitative regulation.

Another advantage of the process, according to the invention is that thetrioxygen molecule is unstable and it immediately interacts with itsmedium, provided that it contains “catalyst” organic materials or thatits electric polarity (negative/positive) is opposed to that applied tothe ozone. The prime interaction between trioxygen with the carbondioxide molecule in the gaseous oxidizing mixture, before its injectionin the combustion chamber, generates carbon trioxide (CO₃). The bindingof the third oxygen atom and the CO₂ molecule is very unstable. Anyproximity with an organic material causes the catalytic reaction oftransferring said atom to the organic material; the capture of saidoxygen atom, actives the destabilization of the catalyst molecule. Saidpartial oxidization makes the compounds of the organic molecule moreoxidative and more flammable.

The gaseous oxidizing mixture (O₂/O₃+CO₂/CO₃) interacts directly withthe fuel.

The instability of the trioxygen bindings and their immediate capture bythe organic catalysts create an “autogenous” pre-combustion of the fuelmaterials, oxygen then interacts directly with fuel under more favorableconditions than the usual combustion/oxidization, without the fact thatbeing mixed with CO2/CO3 hampers this reaction, which is exothermal.

Another advantage of the process according to the invention is that theinjection of water into the combustion chamber with the oxidizinggaseous mixture favors the distribution of the fuel front flame. In thathighly exothermic medium and under temperatures above 1000° C., CO₂/CO₃and H₂O also interact directly with the fuel by means of a “redox”reaction, which helps distribute and speed up combustion.

In atmospheric combustion, numerous carbon particles are not burned,thus hydrocarbon molecules, which have not been oxidized by the mixtureof combustion air.

In the process, according to the invention, atomic and molecular oxygenreacts directly with the fuel and decomposes the hydrocarbon molecule inoxidizing C and H. At the same time, a “redox” reaction is activated byCO₂ and H₂O of the mixture, which also react with C and H of thedecomposed molecules of the following redox reactions:

C+CO₂

2CO+172 kJ/mol;

H₂+CO₂

H₂O+CO+41 kJ/mol.

These reactions are endothermal; they take part in the regulation of thetemperature of the medium and reduce thermal dissipation. The reaction(C+CO₂

2CO) gasifies carbon structures and amorphous carbon elements(particles, soot) which would not be directly oxidized by O₂. Therefore,they are converted into gaseous molecules (CO) that are more reactive tocomplete oxidation (eminently more flammable because of their gaseousstate, which causes CO molecules to have a better distribution in frontof the flame(s) of the thermal system and by of the thermochemicalconditions of the medium) in the presence of free oxygen:

CO+O

CO₂−283 kJ/mol.

Therefore, completion of combustion is progressive during the thrust(work) period of the engine pistons, which increases thermodynamiccapacity for a same unit of fuel, improves the linear efficiency bydistributing thermal effects throughout the course of said piston, andthus reduces wear due to thermal differentials, reducing global thermaldissipation.

The same thing happens to the H₂O molecule that react with CO accordingto:

H₂O+CO

H₂+CO₂−41 kJ/mol; and

H₂+O

H₂O−242 kJ/mol.

Therefore, completion of combustion is progressive during the thrust(work) period of the engine pistons, increasing thermodynamic efficiencyby homogenization of thermal distributions by these sequences ofsimultaneous exothermal reactions.

Another advantage of the process according to the invention is that themixture of CO₂/oxygen does not generate pollution by nitrogen oxide,since nitrogen molecules are not present in the combustion.

In the present example, the fuel is hexadecane, of formula C₁₆H₃₄, theaverage density of this fuel is ≦1.

As disclosed on the table, to perform the stoichiometric combustion of 1liter of hexadecane, 3.46 kg of oxygen (O₂) (2.425 Nm³) are required.

For atmospheric combustion with 50% efficiency yield with thecharacteristics of the current processes and engines, one must considerthe volume of air as a function of the efficiency coefficient ofseparation O₂ from the nitrogen mixture, approximately 60/65%.

To reach the combustion yield of said engines, an excess of oxygen of atleast 15% is required, i.e.:

3.98 kg or 2.79 Nm³ of O₂.

Considering an efficiency coefficient of separation of O₂ of 65%:

2.79/65%=4.29 Nm³ of O₂.

Considering a 21% percentage of O₂ per m³ of air:

20.43 Nm³ of air per liter of hexadecane.

This combustion has only 50% of efficiency.

An engine is designed then in function of these parameters. Currentengines work with a proportion of ⅕ of oxygen in the oxidizing mixture(the same ratio as in air).

The process according to the invention only requires an excess of O₂between 2 and 5% for a combustion yield higher than 93%, i.e.:

3.57 kg or 2.50 Nm³ of O₂.

Since there is no constraint linked to the separation of the gaseousmixture, oxygen is totally active. Combustion yield is maximized.

Complete combustion of carbon generates CO₂ and 3.6 times more energythan that produced by incomplete combustion in CO:

C+O=CO 111 kJ/mol;

C+O₂═CO₂ 394 kJ/mol.

This state of fact provides energy from a better expansion of thecombustion gas.

CO₂ substitutes nitrogen as ballast gas for thermal gaseous expansionthat supplies mechanical work pushing the piston.

At 800° C., CO₂ has a dilatation coefficient 30% higher than air, thusrequiring 23% less of the thermal capacity (heat sensitive).

From this, if we compare “atmospheric” values, transposed to O₂/CO₂, wehave:

20.43 Nm³ of air per liter of hexadecane less oxidizing oxygen “2.425Nm³ of O₂” (see table)=18 Nm³ of ballast gas (nitrogen+rare gases).

At 800° C., said 18 Nm³ of ballast gas represent 48.021 m³ for a thermalcapacity of 9.283 kWh. 1 kg of hexadecane has a lower heating power(PCI) of 11.48 kWh, thus representing combustion yield of 80.86%.

18 Nm³ of ballast gas CO₂:

At 800° C., said 18 Nm³ substituted by CO₂ expand into 62.654 m³ for athermal capacity of 7.174 kWh.

About 15 m³ of exceeding “work” capacity.

1 kg of hexadecane has a lower heating power (PCI) of 11.48 kWh, whichleave more than 4 kWh of exceeding thermal energy, i.e.:

The capacity to generate about 35 m³ of CO₂ at 800° C., i.e., cumulatedan exceeding total of 50 m³ of CO₂ at 800° C.

Alternatively:

1 kg of hexadecane+2.425 Nm³ of O₂+18 Nm³ of CO₂ produce two times morework capacity than 1 kg of hexadecane in atmospheric combustion.

Or also:

½ kg of hexadecane+1.213 Nm³ of O₂+9 Nm³ of CO₂ produce the same work as1 kg of hexadecane in atmospheric combustion.

Another example, 1 kg of hexadecane contains 70.66 moles of carbon (seetable). The minimum CO₂ (to justify an ideal Boudouard reactionhomogenizing the combustion) is 70.66 moles of CO₂, i.e., at least 1.6Nm³ of CO₂ (approximately) and maximum of 27 m³ of CO₂ to exploit 95% ofthe lower heating power (PCI) of 1 kg of hexadecane: the value for agiven engine depends on the type of engine, i. e. the engine cubiccapacity, piston course, etc., this value being between these twonumbers.

Additionally, a small part of the CO₂ ballast may be substituted by“liquid” water injected at the same time as O₂ and CO₂ of the gaseousoxidizing mixture.

This addition may happen in order to:

regulate the combustion temperature absorbing a large quantity of energyin latent heat to transform it into dynamic energy by volume expansionof steam; and

homogenize the combustion by the redox reaction which can occur duringthe change of state (liquid/steam) if the H₂O molecule of steam is neara CO molecule. Said exothermal reaction releases a di-hydrogen (H₂)molecule in the medium that will react in any way with the oxygen ofsaid medium, either with a free (O) atom or with an (O) atom of atrioxidized molecule;

reduce thermal loss by dissipation, latent heat is recovered duringsteam condensation by the cold heat carrier (liquid and/or gaseous CO₂,oxygen, liquid water).

The process according to the invention reduces the wear of theequipment, maintenance; the whole combustion gas produced is recyclable:

H₂O is condensable into distilled water;

CO₂ is partially recycled for re-use in the process according to theinvention; and

excess CO₂ and H₂O can be recycled in a microalgae culture plant, whichwill then produce hydrocarbon materials and oxygen.

Anyway, the invention is not limited to the examples disclosed above.

1. A process combustion raw material hydrocarbon (HC) solid, liquid orgaseous in heat engine comprising at least a combustion chamber, saidprocess comprising at least one iteration of the following stepscomposing/amounting a combustion cycle by introducing, into saidcombustion chamber, a charge hydrocarbon substances and an oxidant gas,triggering combustion of said charge hydrocarbon material with saidoxidant gas; characterized by the fact that the said oxidising gascomprises: trioxygen (O₃), and carbon dioxide (CO₂) and/or carbontrioxide (CO₃).
 2. A process according to claim 1, wherein the oxidizinggas comprises only one or more of trioxygen (O₃) and carbon dioxide(CO₂) or carbon trioxide (CO₃).
 3. A process according to claim 1,wherein the oxidizing gas further comprising dioxygen (O₂).
 4. A processaccording to claim 1, wherein the charge hydrocarbon material (HC) ismixed with at least one oxidant gas component before being introducedinto the combustion chamber.
 5. A process according to claim 1, whereinthe trigger combustion is performed: by applying a pressure in thecombustion chamber; and/or by an electric energy in said combustionchamber.
 6. A process according to claim 1, further comprising aninjection of a quantity of liquid water (H₂O) and/or gas in the mixture.7. A process according to claim 1, wherein the oxidising gas comprisesbetween 15 and 25% of oxygen in form O₃ neat or in the form of a mixtureof O₃ and O₂, and 85 and 75% CO₂ and/or CO₃.
 8. A process according toclaim 1, wherein the oxidizing gas comprises to one mole of carbon inthe hydrocarbon material, at least one mole of one or more of CO₂ orCO₃, and at most 17 moles of one or more of CO₂ or CO₃.
 9. A processaccording to claim 1, further comprising a recovery CO₂ present in theflue gas (CG) obtained after combustion by cooling said flue gas (CG),and a use of the CO₂ least a portion recovered in the flue gas (CG) inthe oxidizing gas to a new combustion cycle.
 10. A process according toclaim 9, further comprising a use of part of the CO₂ recovered in theflue gas (CG) microaigas in culture, said culture providing microaigasO₂ through photosynthesis, at least a portion said O₂ being used forobtaining trioxide constituting the oxidizing gas to a new combustioncycle.
 11. A process according to claim 1, further comprising a steptrioxide generation (O₃) and e respeti vãmente carbon trioxide (CO₃), bymeans of corona discharge applied to the dioxygen molecules (O₂) and,respectively, the carbon dioxide molecules (CO₂).
 12. A thermal enginecarrying out combustion of hydrocarbon material according to claim 1.13. A thermal engine according to claim 12, further comprising at leastone module dosage: the amount of CO₂ and/or CO₃, and/or the amount ofoxygen in the form O₃ neat or in the form of a mixture of O₃ and O₂;used in the oxidising gas.
 14. A system for energy production fromhydrocarbon content (HC) comprising: a heat engine according to claim12, providing a flue gas (CG) comprising CO₂; and at least one reactor(302) producing microaigas O₂ through photosynthesis; at least one meansfor feeding said reactor by at least a portion of the CO₂ present insaid flue gas (CG), and at least one means for recovering at least aportion of said reactor said O₂ produced by microalgae reactor and reuseit to generate a portion of the oxidant gas.